Karan Boolani’s “Thank You for Coming” may not be an epic, clocking in at just under two hours, but it certainly feels like a marathon. This s*x comedy, penned by Radhika Anand and Prashasti Singh, starts with a fizzy promise but ultimately overstays its welcome.
The film drowns its audience in an incessant stream of words, often devolving into nonsensical chatter. In the end, it becomes an exhausting exercise in repetition and verbosity.
Contents
A Slow Start
The film struggles to find its footing, with the first half being particularly disjointed. It stumbles and sputters, often repeating itself, and even seems to backtrack at times. This lack of consistency and the film’s sporadic outbursts make for a rocky start.
More Hype than Substance
While it attempts to deliver an essential anti-patriarchy message, the film’s heavy-handed methods risk alienating the very audience it aims to engage. Its blatant and unsubtle approach may leave viewers wishing for a more nuanced discussion of its central themes.
The Core Message
At its core, “Thank You for Coming” preaches the importance of self-love for women, urging them to discard shame and guilt for genuine happiness. Unfortunately, the film’s excessive verbosity and shallow arguments dilute the impact of this message.
A Complicated Love Life
The story revolves around Kanika Kapoor (Bhumi Pednekar), a woman navigating a convoluted and unsatisfying love life. She leans on her two best friends: Tina Das (Shibani Bedi), a single mother dealing with her teenage daughter’s angst, and Pallavi Khanna (Dolly Singh), whose marital bliss takes a hit after a heated argument with her husband.
A Unique Family Dynamic
Kanika’s family dynamic is unlike the traditional model. She lives with her mother, Dr. Bina Kapoor (Natasha Rastogi), a gynecologist who raised her as a single mother, and her maternal grandmother (Dolly Ahluwalia). Despite their differences, they maintain peace in their household by embracing a live-and-let-live philosophy.
The Pursuit of Marriage
Kanika, in her quest for love and marriage, decides to become engaged to Jeevan Anand (Pradhuman Singh), despite having reservations about him. Her decision confounds her friends, and it’s clear she’s on a journey filled with ‘frogs’ to kiss and turn into Prince Charmings.
Searching for a Smashing Conclusion
The film meanders until it finds a moment in a school auditorium, where Kanika, who was once humiliated for discussing how babies are made, declares her intention to ‘smash patriarchy’ at the age of 32.
Not Just Male-Bashing
Surprisingly, “Thank You for Coming” doesn’t solely engage in male-bashing. The male characters in Kanika’s life appear mostly harmless, if a bit confused. Instead, it’s two women, Rushi Kalra (Shehnaaz Gill) and Neha (Kusha Kapila), who disrupt her quest for answers.
Bhumi Pednekar Shines
Bhumi Pednekar shines in her central role, carrying the film on her shoulders with unflagging energy. Despite the chaos surrounding her, she maintains her composure throughout the film.
Supporting Cast and Noise Levels
While a few members of the supporting cast have their moments, others are relegated to the background. The film’s incessant noise and shouting often overshadow the performances, making it hard to discern individual contributions.
In the end, “Thank You for Coming” feels like a raucous party with great sound but stale food. While it attempts to convey a message of self-love and empowerment, its heavy-handed approach and verbosity drown out its potential impact. The film’s screechy nature leaves us with the reminder that talk may be cheap, but insight is invaluable, and “Thank You for Coming” lacks the latter in abundance.
